When people move home they should look for a new badge on the side of the removals lorry - the BAR/OFT combined logo that demonstrates the company concerned is a member of the British Association of Removers and operates to a code of practice that's approved by the Office of Fair Trading. 

Tell me about the new code

The code has been developed by the BAR and is now approved by the OFT under its Consumer Codes Approval Scheme; it covers only BAR member companies.  
 
All BAR members abide by the code that dictates the standard of service customers will receive, the quality of the materials used, the standards of vehicles and warehouses, staff training requirements and what will happen if something goes wrong.

Most importantly the Code requires BAR moving companies to deal with their customers in a courteous and sympathetic way at all times. 
 
Specifically the code requires BAR moving companies to:
 
. make sure that advertising and promotional literature is clear and not misleading
. provide customers with a clear description, price and timetable for the work carried out
. offer insurance or other protection options
. explain clearly their liability for loss or damage, the time limit for making claims, and cancellation/postponement rights and charges
. provide staff who are courteous, competent, and committed to providing a high standard of service
. deal quickly and sympathetically with things that go wrong

How  am  I  covered ?

The code says that if the moving company were to cancel a removal more than 10 days before the agreed date for the work its must refund any money the customer has already paid. If it cancels less than 10 days before the agreed date it must refund 150% of the monies paid. 

This means that customers can be confident that the moving company will arrive on the agreed date and perform to a specified high standard. 

What  if  something  goes  wrong ?

If customers do have a complaint about a BAR member the code requires the moving company to try to resolve it fairly, quickly and efficiently.

If that's not possible the BAR itself will step in with its FREE Conciliation Service.  If customers and moving company are still unable to reach agreement an independent arbitration scheme is available operated by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. 

Where  can  I  find  out  more ?

A free copy of the full BAR Code of Practice is available from the BAR website.

All images courtesy of Pickfords. For imformation on them, visit Pickfords online.